Thursday, November 12, 2009

Skies, time and community (SWF)

A landmark that we have visited during both of our trips to the Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky is Natural Bridge. There are actually LOTS of natural bridges and arches scattered throughout the forest, but this is the one that gets to have that title with Capital Letters (not to mention its own state resort park). When we checked it out 5 years ago, we hiked up to see it from the lodge in the park. This time we came at it from the opposite side via the sky lift. No matter how you get there, the view from the top is breathtakingly beautiful.




You can see how gorgeous the weather was on this late October day.


Oh hey, it's the happy couple, sitting on the Natural Bridge. We celebrated our 5-year wedding anniversary while we were on this trip!


Looking over at the Natural Bridge from across the valley.


Beginning the descent from Natural Bridge on the sky lift

Speaking of skies, it is not by mere coincidence that I post these sky photos today (nor is it just because it's Skywatch Friday time, but that's a good reason, too!). November 12th marks my first anniversary as a member of the Nature Blog Network, and it was a post showing images of a moon-lit November night sky that was my inaugural post as a member of said group. The NBN has been a great resource for me, but most importantly it has been a way to meet lots of great bloggers who share a similar passion for nature. To echo words that I have read on several other member blogger's pages, it was through the NBN that I found "my people." The Nature Blog Network is a wonderful community of people with diverse interests, held together by a common thread. I don't use Facebook, or Twitter, or Myspace, or any of the other online social media tools, and when I joined NBN, I didn't think of it as a social "tool" either. After all, I'm not the biggest socializer in the world! However, within this last year I have come to meet some pretty cool folks, both virtually and in person, and I have really come to value the community that has formed around my blog. I appreciate each and every one of you for taking the time to stop by! Many folks recommend that when writing a personal blog, you should "write for yourself," and "do it because you want to." Both of these are statements that I agree with, but it's icing on the cake when you discover that there are other folks out there who are willing to read what you have written and give you feedback and help to create interactions and conversations.

I would be remiss not to thank Mike, Wren, Nate and Seabrooke for all their hard work in keeping the Nature Blog Network up and running, and for making it an awesome haven on the 'net for nature lovers across the globe.


Wind-blown leaves in the air, as seen from our seat on the sky lift at Natural Bridge.

I would also be remiss not tip my hat to the folks over at Skywatch (Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy, Louise and Slyvia) for hosting links to great sky photos from the world over every week! Get yourself on over to Skywatch Friday to see another great community of folks!

13 comments:

Chubskulit Rose said...

Oh my gosh, those are breath taking shots, beautiful colors too!

Take a look at the sky over in South Korea

Lorac said...

Great photos! That natural bridge is awesome!

Unknown said...

fabulous fall colors! enjoy sky-watching!

FAB said...

Hi Heather. FABulous views & great for you to make a return visit on your Anniversay...may you have many, many more together. Frank.

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Very beautiful fall Pics!
~Myrna

Carol Mattingly said...

Happy Wedding and Blogger Anniversary Heather! Loved the first shot of the natural bridge the best, but I always love all of your images. They are inspiring to me. I LEFT A LITTLE GIFT FOR YOU ON MY BLOG AND HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY IT AS IT MEANS A LOT TO ME! Carol

Kathie Brown said...

Heather, fisrt let me say Happy Anniversary to you and your husband. What a great place to celebrate!

Second, Happy Anniversary to you and your blog and the NBN.

3rd, what a nice tribute to the NBN!

4th, what gorgeous shots!

5th. My son just moved to FT Campbell, KY and I hope to get over there one of these days. Is this place anywhere nearby to that?

Keep on blogging. You do a great job! BTW, I joined Facebook but hardly ever use it!

eileeninmd said...

Happy Anniversary. What a lovely spot to celebrate. The Autumn colors and sky look wonderful. Great photos.

RuthieJ said...

Happy Anniversary you two! Hope you have many more.

Kelly said...

....I recognize this place. We were there last year at the same time...with the same gorgeous weather. I loved it there. Congrats on your anniversary with your hubby ---and congrats on your NBN anniversary as well! Glad your trip was so nice......

Heather said...

Thanks everyone for stopping by and commenting, and a special thanks for the anniversary wishes.

Carol - Thanks so much for thinking of me. I will be over to see what is waiting for me!

Kathie - It looks like Red River Gorge/Natural Bridge is about a 4.5 hour drive east of Ft. Campbell.

Mary said...

Heather, it's been my pleasure getting to know you here. I was first impressed with your photography. The photo of you and your sweetheart is good enough to frame, don't you think?

I don't spend much time blogging anymore and I hope perhaps one day I'll get into the swing of it again... In the meantime, I appreciate you, too.

Mary

Heather said...

Mary - Any picture of my sweetie is good enough to frame (and now he's blushing, b/c I know he'll read this...!) I always love hearing from you. If you get into the swing again, that would be swell, but if not... well, just stop by and say hi sometimes. Take care!